Americans Abroad: Europa League Preview

Jozy Altidore's red-hot start to the season with AZ Alkmaar cooled off a bit in October, but Thursday should give him an opportunity to get back on track.

Having failed to find the back of the net last month, Altidore will look to get back on the scoresheet when AZ face Austria Vienna in a Europa League match. Altidore made an impact coming off the bench when the teams met two weeks ago, and a start could be in the cards for him as AZ attempts to get into first place of Group G.

Also likely to be in action is Jonathan Spector, whose club, Birmingham City, is level with Club Brugge for first in Group H with six points. Birmingham defeated Club Brugge on the road in their first meeting a couple weeks back, and another victory would put the Blues in a good position to advance with two games remaining.

Here's who the Americans Abroad play against in Thursday's Europa League matches:

Brad Friedel and Tottenham Hotspur play FK Rubin Kazan in Group A.

Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 play FC Copenhagen in Group B.

Oguchi Onyewu and Sporting Lisbon play FC Vaslui in Group D.

Jozy Altidore and AZ Alkmaar play Austria Vienna in Group G.

Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City play Club Brugge in Group H.

Dominic Cervi and Celtic play Stade Rennes in Group I.

Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04 play AEK Larnaca in Group J.

Clint Dempsey and Fulham play Wisla Krakow in Group K.

Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play SK Sturm Graz in Group L.

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What do you think of these matches? Do you see Altidore starting and scoring? Expecting Spector and Birmingham to go atop Group H?

I was looking at the group tables yesterday- almost every American is in good shape to finish in the top 2 in their group, thus carrying them into the round of 16! Very exciting year for Americans in the Europa League…

Last week on the most important Dutch soccer show, Voetbal International, they they complained about Jozy’s speed. They questioned where he was injured or out of shape because he just looked so slow recently.